The Russian army has taken over Moscow's Red Square as the country marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The grand military parade was held under tight security in the presence of President Vladimir Putin and about 27 world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazil's Lula da Silva and Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro. Addressing the military, veterans and others in attendance, Putin recalled the lessons learned from World War II and declared that truth and justice were on their side.
According to Putin, all of Russia supported the war in Ukraine, which he continues to call a special military operation even in its 4th year.
"Russia has been and will continue to be an impregnable wall against Nazism, Russophobia and anti-Semitism. We will fight against the atrocities committed by those who support these aggressive and destructive ideas. Truth and justice are on our side. The entire country, society and our people support the participants of the Special Military Operation. We are proud of their courage and determination, the strength of spirit that has always brought us only victory," Putin said.
A unilateral three-day ceasefire was announced by Russia for Victory Day ceremonies, which Ukraine has rejected, calling it a show of theatre. In the days leading up to the proposed ceasefire, Moscow and Kiev exchanged a series of attacks that forced Russia to cancel flights, leaving more than 60,000 passengers stranded. Before Putin's speech and a minute of silence, the commander of the ground forces, Oleg Salyukov, led 11,000 troops into Red Square where they were inspected by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.
The march also included 1,500 military personnel who fought in Ukraine, as well as Chinese troops. The parade also showcased some of Moscow's latest weaponry, including drones. Among the guests at the parade are European leaders, such as Serbia's Aleksandar Vučić and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, the only EU leader to travel to Moscow.
Both Vučić and Fico were warned by bloc leaders not to attend Russia's parade, which follows the war in neighboring Ukraine. But despite the pressure, they chose to stand by Putin on his momentous day.
For Putin, the greatest achievement is the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, with whom he held two rounds of talks on the eve of the parade. (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
